If you’re thinking of buying accessories for the New Year, it’s better to get pieces that you can wear every day. This is especially true if you’re investing in an engagement ring or other treasures that are meant to last forever. In this article, you can get information about gemstones and their durability so you know which luxury fine jewellery manufacturers can offer you the services you need.
Gemstone Hardness
The Mohs’ hardness scale is used to measure how resistant a mineral is to scratches and abrasions. It goes from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest mineral and 10 being the hardest. It is typically performed by scratching an unknown mineral against one that has a known hardness.
The full scale goes like this:
- Talc
- Gypsum
- Calcite
- Fluorite
- Apatite
- Orthoclase feldspar
- Quartz
- Topaz
- Corundum
- Diamond
Other Factors Outside of Hardness
There are other mineral properties you need to consider when selecting a durable gem for your jewellery, such as:
Toughness – this measures how well a mineral resists fracturing or breaking, and it can vary significantly even within the same type of stones
Cleavage – this is the tendency of a mineral to break smoothly along a flat and internal plane, and it can be repeated depending on the number of planes
Fracture – this is the tendency of a mineral to break in a random pattern, leaving an uneven or rough surface, and this cannot be repeated unlike cleavages
Best Gemstones for Daily Wear
Diamonds
As you’ve probably guessed, these are the top choice for engagement rings and other pieces. They are exceptionally durable, capable of withstanding the wear and tear of everyday activities. Plus, they hold their value well over time, offer a classic look, and are versatile enough for different designs.
Sapphires
If you find diamonds too common, you might consider sapphires instead. These rank 9 on the Mohs’ scale, making them also resistant to chips, scratches, and other damages from being struck. They are relatively affordable compared to diamonds while giving a similar aesthetic appeal.
Rubies
Just a bit lower than sapphires in the hardness scale at 8.5, these gemstones are not only durable but also vibrantly beautiful. They also have symbolic meanings of love and passion, wealth and success, vitality and strength, and protection.
Other durable stones
Other minerals that are definitely worth considering for your daily jewels are: aquamarine, amethyst, topaz, garnet, lapis lazuli, and onyx.
Something that has been growing in popularity lately is custom Moissanite engagement rings, which feature the second hardest gemstone on Earth. Moissanites are becoming known as the perfect alternative to diamonds these days, so they are certainly worth looking into.
Find the Best Jewellers
To ensure that your fine jewellery is going to last, you need to work with a trustworthy company known for their craft. Don’t let such beautiful stones go to waste just because you picked the wrong craftsman for your pieces.
Bear in mind that some stones can get damaged by temperature changes and sunlight. This is why it’s crucial to get your jewellery from a place that also provides proper maintenance. Besides that, it also assures you that all of your stones are ethically sourced.